Lock for binders.



No. 664,107. Patented Dec. 18, I900.

c. HQ STOELTING. ,1

LOCK FOR BINDERS.

{App1ice.tion filed Mar. 31, 1900.) (No Model.) '3 sxims-shm W? lz f fm 7 Maw r G/QwJZZW/Z/YMZQI'W w fi ZaJfiZEI'nQyAF m: NORRIS PETERS ca. woromnm WASHINGTON, 0 c

No. 664,107. Pdten-ted Dec. 18, I900.

G. H. STOELTING. LOCK FOR BINDERS.

{Application filed Mar. 31, 1906.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets Shaat 2 II/III] UIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIA IIIIII m: nonms PETERS co vuo oumuq wnsmnamn, n. c

UNITED STATES FFICE.

ATENT CHRISTIAN H. STOELTING, OF onIoAeo, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM A. VAWTER, on SAME PLACE.

LOCK FOR BINDERS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart Of Letters Patent NO. 664,107, dated December 1 8, 1900.

Application filed March 31, 1900. Serial No. 101906 (No model.)

To all whom it may conce a perspective view of the upper end of the Be it known that I, CHRISTIAN I-I. STOELT- locking-bolt. Figs. 13, 14, 15,16, and 17 are lNG, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and views of a modification of my invention, of State of Illinois, have invented certain new which Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the plate. 55 and useful Improvements in Locks for Bind- Fig. 14 is a plan view of the lock with said ers; and I do hereby declare that the following plate removed, showing the position the wards is a full, clear, and exact description thereassume and the parts in locked relation. of, reference being had to the accompany- Fig. 15 is asimilar view showing the position ing drawings, and to the letters of reference the wards assume when the same are in un- IO marked thereon, which form a part of this locked relation. Fig. 16 is a vertical longispecification. tudinal section of the locked post, showing This invention relates to improvements in the position the parts assume when the parts that class of devices known as loose-leaf of the binder are locked together. Fig. 17 binders, comprising two lids or covers deis a similar sectional view showing the posi- I 5 tachably locked together at one edge thereof tion the parts assume when in unlocked reand between which are adapted to be temlation. Fig. 18 is a side elevation of a modiporarily secured a plurality of sheets of pafication of my invention. Fig. 19 is an end per by means of impaling pins or posts atelevation of the same. tached to the covers near theirlocking edges, As shown in the drawings, A and B indi- 7o 20 said posts being adapted to pass through suitcate, respectively, the upper and lower lids able bearing-apertures in the adjacent edges or covers of the binder, adapted to receive of the sheet. between the same a plurality of sheets of pa- The invention relates more especially to the per 0, said sheets being secured between said improved means for locking the covers tocovers by means of clamping-bars A B, to 25 get-her and contemplates a device in which which said covers are secured. Said clampthe locking mechanism acts automatically to ing-bars are provided with impaling-posts D hold the parts in locked relation at all times D. Said impaling-posts, as shown, are made except when a key is inserted and turned in of two parts orsections, the outerends thereof the lock and which will immediately lock being attached to the clamping-bars A B, 0 when the key is removed therefrom. respectively, and the inner ends being adapt- The invention consists in the matters herea ed to have sliding engagement with each inafter set forth, and more fully pointed out other. E indicates a locking-post, also made and defined in the appended claims. up of two parts or sections rigidly attached In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective at their outer ends to the said clamping-bars 5 view of a loose-leaf ledger embodying my in- A B and having sliding engagement at their vention. Fig. 2 is arear view of' the same, inner ends, like the impalingposts above partly in section,showing the back removed. mentioned, one of said sections being pro- Fig. 3is a horizontal section through the back vided with a ratchet-bar E extending lonof said binder. Fig. 4: is a horizontal section gitudinally thereof and rigidly secured there- 40 through the lock mechanism,showing the poin, and the other section being provided with sition the wards assume when the device is a pawl E adapted to engage said ratchetlocked. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the bar; The said pawl and ratchet-bar are so position of the wards when the binder is undisposed as to permit the said sections of the locked. Fig. 6 is an enlarged section on line locking-post to slide inwardly one within the 5 5 6 6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a section taken onother and to resist outward movement thereline 7 7 of Fig. 4. Figs. 8 and 9 are sections of. In other words, said parts interlock in similar to Figs. 6 and 7, but showing the bolt such manner as to resist effort to separate or plunger depressed. Fig. 10 is a vertical the clamping-bars to which said posts are atlongitudinal section of the locking-posts. tached. Forthe purposeofreleasingthe said I00 50 Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one of the pawl from said ratchet-bar,or,in other words, parts of the locking mechanism. Fig. 12 is unlocking the same, to permit the capacity of the binder being increased, a plunger or bolt F is provided in the post-section in which the pawl is located. Said bolt is actuated by means of key-operated tumblers F F, secured in the upper cover and adapted to have sliding engagement on the clamping-bar A and have operative engagement with the upper end of said bolt F whereby reciprocating motion is produced in the said bolt, throwing said pawl into and out of engagement with said ratchet-bar. Said covers A and B are hinged at their rear margins to said clamping-bars A B, respectively, which are concealed in the binding of the rear margins of said cover and comprise binding-plates, between which the sheets of paper are rigidly secured in said binder. The upper one of said binding-plates A is provided with lateral upwardly-projecting flanges ac, between which are located the said keyactuated tumblers F F. The said impaling-posts are secured at their outer ends to said clampingbars, near the outer ends of the same, and are tubular and adapted to slide one within the other. The said posts serve to hold the said clamping-bars parallel and also serve to retain the leaves in position when the pressure from said clamping-bars is removed therefrom when the binder is unlocked. The post E comprises two tubular post-sections E E secured at the middle of the clamping-bars A B, respectively, by their opposite ends. The said locking-post is herein shown as oblong in cross-section to provide space for the central locking mechanism and is mounted with its longer diameter at right angles to the adjacent clamping'bars. The post-section E as herein shown, is made of such size as to fit within the tubular interior of the post-section E and to have telescopic connection therewith. Said locking-post sections are provided with oppositely-arranged half-sleeve sections E E, so arranged as to engage each other at their inner edges when the posts are telescoped within each other to form together a complete inclosure for said post-sections, and thereby afford a uniform and continuous bearing for the sheets of paper engaged therewith. As shown in Fig. 10, each sleeve-section covers one edge of the post and engages the opposite sleeve-section on each side of said post midway between said edges. Obviously, however, said sleevesections may be otherwise arranged on the post-section, if desired. As the post-section E is arranged to telescope within the section E, the wall of said section E must pass, therefore, between the wall of the section E and the half-sleeve section E In order to provide space between such sleeve-sections and in the adjacent wall of the post-sections, said sleeve-section is secured to the clampingbar concentric with said post, but out of contact therewith and at a sufiicient distance therefrom to provide a space between the sleeve-section and the post between the same and of the required size. This may be conveniently done by providing a flange on the outer end of said locking-post, said flange having a width equal to the width of the desired space, and by securing said sleeve-section to said flange. Obviously in the case of the other sleeve-section-namely, E no such space is required and the said section may be secured to the clamping-bar orsoldered or secured by like means to the post-section E. Said postsection and sleeve-section may be secured by any desired manner to said clamping-bars. As shown, however, the said clamping-bars are each provided with a central aperture oomplemental in form to the cross-sections of the said locking-posts. The locking-post sections are inserted through the corresponding aperture in the clamping-bar to which the same is to be secured and are secured therein by means of screws or by brazing or soldering, as preferred.

The ratchet-bar F is secured at its lower end to the lower end of the post-section E and extends upwardly therein for the entire length thereof. The same is not secured at the top to said post-section, and a space is left between the said ratchet-bar and the wall of the said post-section in which the wall of the post-section E maybe received and slide downwardly to a point near the bottom thereof. The ratchets or teeth on said ratchetbars incline downwardly and inwardly-that is to say, the same on the under side present horizontal faces and on the upper side thereof upwardly-inclined faces. At the lower end of said inner post-section E is pivoted the pawl E, by means of a transverse pivot-pin e. Said pawl is provided with an upwardly-extending pawl end 6, adapted to engage said ratchets of the ratchet-bar,and a'horizontallyextending arm 6 extending rearwardly from said pivot to a point adjacent to the side of the post-section. The plungeror bolt F rests on the said horizontal arm 6 of the said pawl and extends upwardly therefrom through the aperture in said clamping-bar A and between the tumblers F F, to the upper surface thereof, when said pawl is in engagement with said ratchet-bar. Said bolt F as shown, is connected with said pawl-arm e by means of a spiral pulling-springf, one end of which is secured to said bolt and the other end to said arm e and which holds the end of the said bolt constantly in contact with said arm. Obviously, however, the connection between said pawl and said bolt may be made directly, as indicated in Figs. 18 and 19, in which instance the end of said pawl-lever is slotted, and the lower end of the bolt is secured in said slot by means of a transverse pin. The upper end of said bolt is provided on the front and rear sides thereof with laterally-directed lugsff Said lugs are inclined downwardly and oppositely andin the direction of the length of the clamping-plates. As shown, said lugs are formed by providing in the outer end of said bolt F oppositely and downwardly inclined slots or notches, said notches extending transversely of the greater diameter of said locking-post, and the upper extremity of said bolt is also provided on opposite sides thereof with oppositely and downwardly inclined surfaces parallel with a notch on the said side of said bolt. The said to mblers F F, as shown in Figs.

'4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, consist of two flat plates of metal secured side by side on the clampingbar A, between the flanges a a of the same, and are adapted to have sliding motion longitudinally thereof. Said tumblers are provided in the adjacent sides thereof with complemen tal oppositely and downwardly inclined grooves or slots f f directed longitudinally of said clamping-bar and complemental to the lugsf f on the head of said bolt and adapted to engage the same, as clearly indicated in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, and so disposed that the lugs on said bolts will be engaged by said notches in said tumblers in a like manner at the same time. The said tumblers are each provided at adjacent ends thereof with oppositely-directed notches adapted to receive the blade of a key G, herein shown to be provided with two wings g g, adapted to engage the said tumblers F F, respectively, at the same time and to actuate the same in opposite directions, as clearly indicated in Figs. at and 5. The longitudinal movement of each of said tumblers is limited in one direction by the studs a a secured to said clamping-bars and extending upwardly therefrom in the line of movement with said tumblers. The said tumblers are also provided on the ends thereof opposite said studs a a respectively, with pushing-springs H H, adapted normally to hold said tumblers against said stud when the binder is locked. An outer lock-plate I is provided to cover said tumblers, adapted at all times to confine the same in close contact with the clampingplate. Saidlock-plate is provided with a keyhole corresponding in location to the notches in said tumblers, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 5.

The operation of the device is as follows: The binder being locked, the tumblers assume the position indicated in Figs. 4, 6, and 7,with one end of each against the stud a or a The bolt extends upwardly between said tumblers, the lugs f f resting in the corresponding notches in the tumblers F F. In this position it is observed that the bolt is held at the highest limit of its movement, and the arm 2 of the pawl being elevated the pawl-arm e is held in contact and in locking relation with the ratchet-bar E The tumblers are firmly held in their locked position by means of the springs H H. If, however, it is desired to unlock the binder, the key is turned in the lock, as indicated in Fig. 5, forcing the said tumblers oppositely against the upwardly-inclined surfaces of the lugs f f, thereby forcingthesaid boltand pawl-levere downwardly in said locking-post, as indicated in Figs. 8 and 9. Obviouslyacorrespondingmovement is produced in the pawl-arm, the same being moved inwardly and out of contact with the ratchet. The binder is now unlocked and the clamping-bars may be moved away from each other to any desired extent to permit the insertion or rem oval of leaves. Obviously the said movement of the tumblers have acted to compress the pushing-springs H H, the same being compressed when the' tumblers are actuated by the key. Upon the key be ing removed, however, the operation of the said pushing-spring is such that it forces the said tumblers backwardly against the studs a a as indicated in Fig. 4, with the effect of again elevating the bolt and throwing the pawl into engagement with the ratchet-bar. In other words, the lock operates automatically as a spring-lock, thereby obviating the possibility of a negligent accountant failing to lock the device after unlocking the same.

For the purpose of preventing the post-sections from being entirely separated a stop J is provided at the upper end of said ratchetbar,which projects centrally of thetube and which is of sufficient length to engage a part of the pawl, near the bearing thereof.

Obviously my invention may be embodied in several different forms, and another form of the same is illustrated in Figs. 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. In the said figures the device illustrated is in all respects similar to that heretofore described, with the exception of modified forms of bolt and the tumblers. In this case a plunger K extends downwardly between the tumblers F F into contact with the horizontal pawl end e of .the pawl E Said pin is provided on its outer end with a head 7c, which is adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the tumblers F F when the parts are in locked relation. The upper part of said head is designed to project through the lock-plate I. Said tumblers are provided centrally on their adjacent edges with semicircular notches f j, which are adapted to be brought opposite each other by the action of the key, thereby forming a circular opening through said tumblers beneath the head of the plunger when the parts are in position for the binder to be unlocked. When the binder is locked, said tumblers being moved oppositely, said notches are no longer opposite each other and the head of the said plunger is supported on said tumblers. For the purpose of holding the said tumblers in such position that the binder will be at all times normally locked a spring f is provided one end of which bears against the end of the tumbler F the other end of which bears against an arm f extending laterally of the tumbler F the action of said spring being to force said tumblers oppositely and move the same in contact with the studs a a, similar in all respects to the studs a a heretofore described. Said tumblers are provided on adjacent edges with key-notches adapted to receive a double-winged key similar to that heretofore described, the action of which is to push the tumblers oppositely until the notches f and f are opposite each other, as

lCO

&

indicated in Fig. 15, in which event the pin K may be passed downwardly, thereby throwing the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet-bar and permitting the said binder to be opened. For the purpose of making the device so self-actuating springs are secured within said locking-post, of which the spring is a pulling-spring one end of which is secured on a pin K and the other end thereof being secured to the horizontal arm 6 of the pawl. Obviously in either of the devices described the bolt or pin may be hinged to the horizontal pawl-arm,if preferred, as indicated in Figs. 18 and 19, and the operation will be essentially as described. So, too, a spring may be secured to said pawl to aid in the operation of the same; but the same is not necessary to the operation of the device, and hence are not shown.

I claim as my invention- 1. A locking device for a binder or the like, comprising two telescopic post-sections, one of which is provided interiorly with ratchetteeth and the other with a pivoted pawl normally in looking engagement with said teeth, of means for actuating said pawl comprising a tumbler transversely movable with respect to said post-sections, and a plunger longitudinally movable within one of the post-sections, one end of the plunger engaging the pawl and the other end adapted for engagement with said tumbler.

2. A binder comprising two clamping-bars and two telescopic post-sections, the latter being attached at their opposite outer ends to said bars and having sliding engagement at their inner ends,oneof said sections being provided interiorly with a ratchet-bar extending longitudinally thereof, the other of said sections being provided with a pivoted pawl adapted to engage said ratchet-bar, a plunger or bolt longitudinally movable within one of said post-sections and engaging said pawl at one end, and means for actuating said plunger to disengage said pawl from looking engagement with said ratchet-bar.

3. A binder comprising two clamping-bars and two telescopic post-sections the latter being attached at their opposite outer ends to said bars and having sliding engagement at their inner ends, a ratchet-bar extending longitudinally within one section, a pivoted pawl in the other section adapted for normal engagement with said ratchet-bar and provided with a lever-arm, a plunger or bolt longitudinally movable within one of said sections and engaging said lever-arm, and means for actuating said plunger or bolt to throw said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet-bar.

4. In a binder having two clamping-bars, a locking device comprising two telescopic post-sections attached at their opposite outer ends to said bars and having sliding engagement at their inner ends, one of said sections being provided with a ratchet-bar, a levered pawl in the other of said sections, a plunger or bolt engaging the lever of said pawl and movable longitudinally within one of said post-sections, a tumbler in locking engagement with the outer end of said plunger and transversely movable with respect to said post-section, and means for actuating said tumbler to permit the inward movement of said plunger, whereby said pawl may be thrown out of engagement with the ratchetbar.

5. A binder having two clamping-bars and a locking device, the latter comprising two telescopic post-sections attached at their opposite outer ends to said bars, one of said sections being provided with a ratchet-bar and the other with a levered pawl in normal on gagement with said bar, a plunger in operative engagement with the lever of said pawl, the outer end of which extends beyond the post-section, a tumbler arranged to slide longitudinally on one of said clamping-bars and having locking engagement with said outer end of said plunger, and means for actuating said tumbler and thereby forcing said plunger inwardly or outwardly as desired.

6. A binder having two clamping-bars and a locking device, the latter comprising two telescopic post-sections attached at their opposite outer ends to said bars, one of said sections being provided with a ratchet-bar and the other with a levered pawl normally in engagement with the ratchet-bar, a tumbler having sliding movement longitudinally of said clamping-bar, a spring engaging said tumbler and acting to normally hold the latter from movement, and a longitudinally-movable plunger having engagement at its inner end with said levered pawl and at its outer end with said tumbler.

7. A binder having two clamping-bars and a locking device, the latter comprising two telescopic post-sections attached at their outer ends to said bars and having sliding engagement at their inner ends, one of said sections being provided with a ratchet-bar and the other with a levered pawl adapted to engage said ratchet-bar, a plunger engaging at its inner end the lever of said pawl and having its outer end extending through one of said clamping-bars,a longitudinally-movable tumbler on said clamping-bar engaging the outer end of said plunger, and a pushing-spring secured at one end to said clamping-bar and at its other end engaging said tumbler whereby the latter is held yieldingly against movement.

8. A binder having two clamping-bars and a locking device, the latter comprising two telescopic post-sections attached at their outer ends to said bars, one of said sections being provided with a ratchet-bar and the other with a levered pawl adapted to normally engage said ratchet-bar, a plunger engaging at one of its ends the lever of said pawl and extending at its other end outwardly through one of said clamping-bars,a pair of tumbler-plates adapted to have sliding movement on the outer side of said clamping-bar located on either side of and in engagement with said plunger to hold the latter normally in its retracted position, said engaging means being such as to force said plunger inwardly and thereby disengage the pawl from ratchet-bar when said tumblers are actuated in opposite directions.

9. A binder having clamping-bars and a locking device, the latter comprising two telescopic post-sections attached at their outer ends to said bars and having sliding engagement at their inner ends, a ratchet-bar secured in one of said sections extending longitudinally thereof, a levered pawl secured in the other section, a bolt in operative engagement with the lever of said pawl and extending outwardly through one of said clamping-bars, and a key-actuated tumbler on each side of the extremity of said bolt engaging ing outwardly through said clamping-bar, a

key actuated two-part tumbler, one part being positioned on the clamping-bar on each side of the head of said plunger, said tum,- blers being provided on their adjacent edges or sides with downwardly and oppositely inclined grooves, a lug on each side of the head of said plunger complemental to the grooves in said tumblers and adapted to engage the same whereby, when said tumblers are moved in opposite directions, said plunger is forced inwardly thereby disengaging the pawl from the ratchet-bar.

11. A binder having two clamping-bars and a locking device, the latter comprising two telescopic post-sections attached at their outer ends to said bars, one of said sections being provided with a ratchet-bar and the other with a pawl having an integral lever, a plunger or bolt having operative engagement with said lever at one end and provided on its other end with downwardly and oppositely inclined lugs, a tumbler adapted to have slida locking device, the latter comprising two telescopic post-sectionsattached at their on ter ends to said bars, ohe of said sections being provided with a ratchet-bar and the other with a pawl having an integral lever, a plunger or bolt engaging said lever, a pullingspring one end of which is secured to said lever and the other end to the bolt, downwardly and oppositely inclined lugs on said bolt, a two-part tumbler adapted'to have sliding engagement with said clamping-bar and engaging the head of said bolt on opposite sides thereof, said tumbler parts being provided in their adjacent edges or sides with grooves complemental to said lugs and adapted to receive the same whereby said plunger is supported from and actuated by said tumblers, and means for actuating said tumblers.

.13. A binder having two clamping-bars and two telescopic post-sections oblong in cross section and attached at their opposite outer ends to said clamping-bars, said oblong sections being provided exteriorly on their opposite sides with half-sleeve sections which "together form a complete sleeve inclosing said first-mentioned sections when the latter are closed, and a locking device comprising a ratchet-bar secured at one end and extending lengthwise in one post section with a space between the back of said ratchet-bar and the inside of the post-section to which it is attached, and a pivoted locking-pawl secured within the other section normally in engagement with said ratchet-bar, and means for actuating the pawl to disengage it from the ratchet-bar when shifting said posts telescopically.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 24th day of March, A. D. 1900.

CHRISTIAN H. STOELTING.

Witnesses:

TAYLOR E. BROWN, HUGH H. HADLEY. 

